Are you struggling to increase the conflict and tension in your scenes? Is your book feeling flat, or editors and readers are saying there isn’t enough conflict? This interactive workshop will cover the difference between conflict and tension, how to create conflicts that aren’t just arguments, and developing conflict from your characters. Conflict is what […]

Stuck on your plot? Trying to figure out unique twists for your story? This fun, interactive class, using three paper bags, gives you all kinds of ideas to apply to your work. Learn how to interchange setting, character and plot events to create a truly unique story! Teacher Schedule Reviews Submit a Review Tags Level […]

Scenes are the building blocks of your book, and sequels are the glue that bring those scenes together. The trouble is knowing how to create an effective sequel that keeps the pacing and tension running, but also gives the characters and readers a little room to breathe. Learn the best balance of Scene and Sequel […]

This hands-on class helps writers understand how POV works, from the basics of knowing which POV you are in, to the more in-depth technique of using POV to build stronger reader/character relationships and create intense emotion. Hands-on homework will have students diving deep into their scenes to create more memorable moments in their character’s head. […]

A mini-version of the longer month-long Revision class. Online only class that offers hands-on help revising a manuscript. We will work on chunks at a time, with feedback and critiquing from New York Times bestselling author Shirley Jump. The class covers plot, character, and show, not tell, but offers less homework and feedback than the […]

How many times have you heard this…and not quite known how to do it? Or gotten this comment back in a critique? This most basic of writing concepts can also be one of the most difficult to master in the beginning. Join New York Times bestselling author Shirley Jump as she leads an interactive workshop […]

For first-time authors, the biggest hurdle to selling is learning how to craft a book that is better than good. Good wins contests. Good gets requests for partials. Good sometimes gets a revision request. But learning how to take “good” and turn it into “sellable” is the key to success. New writers may not see […]

Capitalize on this technique marketing gurus have used for years to find the "thought not thought of yet" and avoid duplicating a plot line, character quirk or other idea already out there (that you may have seen subconsciously). Then learn how to use this technique to take your writing deeper and draw out more emotion, […]

Increasing the emotion in a novel is about a lot more than just adding a character death or a shocking family secret. Writers need to first create compelling characters who build a connection with the reader, then craft a plot that brings out the emotion, and develop strong backstory and motivations for the character’s actions. […]

A one-month online only class that offers hands-on help revising a manuscript. We will work on chunks at a time, with feedback and critiquing from New York Times bestselling author Shirley Jump. The class will cover four main components of revision: plot structure, character depth, conflict and motivation, and show, not tell. Class size is […]

Editors love books that are character driven and have layered plots. Learn how to create novels with plots created by the characters themselves, using Shirley Jump’s Brainmap Technique, giving a stronger, more powerful--and more emotional story. If you're stuck in your writing, needing inspiration or just want to learn more about developing characters and developing […]

Blood, Sweat, and Tears – Writing Realistic Scenes from the Front Seat of an Ambulance Terms, slang, assorted bullshit. EMS titles, education, and scope of practice (around the world). What’s in an Ambulance? Tools of the trade. Police, firemen, and EMS mingle + who transports the body? What does a real ___________ look like? Car […]

Mind-mapping: Using the Way We Think to Create Story Are you a pantster or a plotter? Or some combination of both ends of the spectrum? Most of us fall somewhere in the middle but, regardless, mind-mapping can launch your planning abilities into the stratosphere! A mind map is a simple tool that utilizes the way […]

A mechanic doesn’t pop the hood for the first time and immediately know what’s wrong with the car.  A pilot doesn’t slide into the cockpit without logging the required hours of training. A master author doesn’t magically hit the bestseller lists. A master author knows the basics. And there are a lot of basics to […]

Ever thought about writing your OWN story? Memoirs and autobiographies are the perfect way to connect with your family, to tell your story your way, and to create a lasting memory of who you are. In this class, we’ll: Explore the difference between an autobiography and a memoir Use themes to discover and organize memories […]

Are you running your writing like a business?  A better question may be “Should you run your writing like a business?” The answer is: YES!!   It’s not hard. Really! But most writers don’t think they need to be a business, mostly because so few of us make appreciable money at it. But it’s possible that utilizing […]

Tension belongs: In every book In every scene On every page Without it, who cares?  The whole story falls flat.  In this class, we’ll drill deep to find exactly what creates tension in a scene or a character and we’ll learn dozens of ways to make sure you’ll use Margie’s orange highlighter at all the […]

Sample edit, feedback, and coaching from a professional editor. Lessons cover preparing, responding to, finding, and choosing an editor. Interactive feedback gives you technical fine points and recommendations as well as critique and encouragement. Class members follow each other’s work and learn together.